National Alliance on Mental Illness
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Luvox® (fluvoxamine)
Brand names:
Luvox®
Tablets (immediate release): 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
Luvox CR®
Capsules (extended release): 100 mg, 150 mg
Generic name: fluvoxamine (floo VOKS a meen)
Medication class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant
All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please review before taking this medication.
What is Luvox® and what does it treat?
Fluvoxamine is an antidepressant medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), social phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children ages 8 and older.
Symptoms of depression include:
Depressed mood - feeling sad, empty, or tearful
Feeling worthless, guilty, hopeless, and helpless
Loss of interest or pleasure in your usual activities
Sleep and eat more or less than usual (for most people it is less)
Low energy, trouble concentrating, or thoughts of death (suicidal thinking)
Psychomotor agitation (‘nervous energy’)
Psychomotor retardation (feeling like you are moving and thinking in slow motion)
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Social phobia/social anxiety disorder is a fear of situations where one may feel as if they are being judged by others. Symptoms include:
Blushing
Difficulty talking
Nausea
Sweating
Shaking
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) occurs when a person experiences the following symptoms at the same time:
Obsessions (unwanted, recurrent, and disturbing thoughts)
Compulsions (repetitive, ritualized behaviors that the person feels driven to perform in order to lessen the anxiety produced by the obsessions)
What is the most important information I should know about Luvox®?
Do not stop taking fluvoxamine, even when you feel better. Only your healthcare provider can determine the length of treatment that is right for you.
Missing doses of fluvoxamine may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms.
Stopping fluvoxamine abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin).
Depression is also a part of bipolar illness. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences (for example, excessive buying sprees).
Are there specific concerns about Luvox® and pregnancy?
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your healthcare provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers.
For mothers who have taken SSRIs during their pregnancy, there appears to be less than a 1% chance of infants developing persistent pulmonary hypertension. This is a potentially fatal condition that is associated with use of the antidepressant in the second half of pregnancy. However, women who discontinued antidepressant therapy were five times more likely to have a depression relapse than those who continued their antidepressant. If you are pregnant, please discuss the risks and benefits of antidepressant use with your healthcare provider.
Caution is advised with breastfeeding since fluvoxamine does pass into breast milk.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Luvox®?
Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most
If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects
If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider. Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication.
Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder
All other medications you are currently taking (including over the counter products, herbal and nutritional supplements) and any medication allergies you have
Other non-medication treatment you are receiving, such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment. Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication.
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
If you drink alcohol or use drugs
How should I take Luvox®?
Fluvoxamine is usually taken 2 times per day with or without food. The extended release formulation may be taken 1 time per day with or without food.
Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks.
The dose usually ranges from 50 mg to 300 mg. Only your healthcare provider can determine the correct dose for you.
Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.
The extended-release forms should be swallowed whole. They should not be chewed, crushed, or broken.
What happens if I miss a dose of Luvox®?
If you miss a dose of fluvoxamine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
What should I avoid while taking Luvox®?
Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication.
What happens if I overdose with Luvox®?
If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or 911. You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
A specific treatment to reverse the effects of fluvoxamine does not exist.
What are the possible side effects of Luvox®?
Common Side Effects
Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating
Feeling nervous, restless, fatigued, sleepy or having trouble sleeping (insomnia)
These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.
Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time.
Rare Side Effects
Increased bleeding (e.g., gums may bleed more easily), low sodium blood levels (signs of low sodium levels may include headache, weakness, difficulty concentrating and remembering), teeth grinding
Serious Side Effects
Seizure
Are there any risks of taking Luvox® for long periods of time?
To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of fluvoxamine. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed.
What other medications may interact with Luvox®?
Fluvoxamine should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These include phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), rasagiline (Azilect®), and selegeline (Emsam®).
Although rare, there is an increased risk of serotonin syndrome when fluvoxamine is used with other medications that increase serotonin, such as other antidepressants, migraine medications called “triptans” (e.g., Imitrex®), some pain medications (e.g., tramadol (Ultram®), and the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox®).
Fluvoxamine may increase the levels and effects of:
Warfarin (Coumadin®)
Theophylline (Theo-Dur®)
Certain anticonvulsants: carbamazepine (Tegretol®, Equetro®), phenytoin (Dilantin®)
Beta blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal®) metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol XL®)
Benzodizapines, such as alprazolam (Xanax®) diazepam (Valium®)
Certain antipsychotics, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa®), clozapine (Clozaril®), aripiprazole (Abilify®), quetiapine (Seroquel®)
Mexiletine (Mexitil®)
Omeprazole (Prilosec®)
Methadone (Dolophine®)
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil®)
Fluvoxamine may decrease the effects of clopidogrel (Plavix®).
Fluvoxamine may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding (e.g., ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), warfarin (Coumadin®), and aspirin).
Combining fluvoxamine with ramelteon (RozeremTM), tizanidine (Zanaflex®), thioridazine (Mellaril®), pimozide, or alosetron (Lotronex®) is not recommended.
How long does it take for Luvox® to work?
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.
Provided by the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists
(January 2013)
Summary of Black Box Warnings
Suicidal Thoughts or Actions in Children and Adults
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.
Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), both adult and pediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) or unusual changes in behavior, whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications. This risk may persist until significant remission occurs.
In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24. Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. If these symptoms emerge, they should be reported to the patient’s prescriber or healthcare professional.
All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.